# Ladies what do you think when you see a woman wearing seamed stockings in public? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 31, 2010, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-do-you-think-when-you-see-a-woman-wearing-seamed-stockings-in-public/552085 "2010-08-31T02:55:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Dr.Woo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7c8e57/32.png) [@Dr.Woo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Woo)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-do-you-think-when-you-see-a-woman-wearing-seamed-stockings-in-public/552085/41 "2010-08-31T22:13:34Z")
The first thing I’d think is that she takes really good care of her fingernails, because getting the seam straight is an exercise in snags unless your nails are perfect. I voted ‘Daring’. ---
**Author:** ![chizzuk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@chizzuk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chizzuk)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-do-you-think-when-you-see-a-woman-wearing-seamed-stockings-in-public/552085/42 "2010-08-31T23:59:05Z")
> [@please921](#): > > > [@Zsofia](#): > > > > Is there a reason Orthodox women would wear them? > > Not all Orthodox women wear them. I know that some sects of Chassidic women wear them. Someone mentioned Satmar Chassidim before… > > The seams date back to the old days when all stockings had seams. The women continue to wear them because the seams serve as a “sign” that a woman’s legs are fully covered so there is no confusion about whether the woman is wearing stockings or not. > > It’s interesting that in modern-day America, many of us think of seamed stockings as sexy, whereas in these communities they are a symbol of modesty, and for all intents and purposes, are meant to serve as a deterrence from sexual thoughts. > > As with a lot of laws, the rabbinic opinions on modesty, or tznuit, for Orthodox women vary greatly between sects. For a good overview, you can check out [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tzniut). Well, these aren’t the typical nylons you and I think of. These are thick, opaque stockings that are derisively called “bulletproof” by other less stringent Orthodox groups. Satmar has banned sheer stockings; I think they all wear some really high denier like 60 or 100. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-do-you-think-when-you-see-a-woman-wearing-seamed-stockings-in-public/552085/43 "2010-09-01T00:05:24Z")
Why didn’t you ask men? We have opinions on the matter too. I think most men consider seams to be ‘guide lines’. ---
**Author:** ![sunstone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunstone/32/3372_2.png) [@sunstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sunstone)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-do-you-think-when-you-see-a-woman-wearing-seamed-stockings-in-public/552085/44 "2010-09-01T01:31:41Z")
I would say that I want to vote! We manly types have certain opinions about this! (Stockings with seams a +. I dislike pantyhose on the ladies, but then I’m 67 years old) ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-do-you-think-when-you-see-a-woman-wearing-seamed-stockings-in-public/552085/45 "2010-09-01T01:36:56Z")
I voted for exhibitionist, because unless you are in a forties play, the only reason to wear them is to make sure people notice your legs. Which is not a bad thing…but it does imply “look at me, I have great legs!” Or…you’d BETTER have great legs! ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-do-you-think-when-you-see-a-woman-wearing-seamed-stockings-in-public/552085/46 "2010-09-01T02:24:41Z")
My daughter has some seamed stockings, and they look great on her. She also has Bettie Page bangs, but I think she can [get away with it.](http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i84/NinetyWt/90c8379d-1.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-do-you-think-when-you-see-a-woman-wearing-seamed-stockings-in-public/552085/47 "2010-09-01T02:37:50Z")
Hubba hubba. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-do-you-think-when-you-see-a-woman-wearing-seamed-stockings-in-public/552085/48 "2010-09-01T03:01:52Z")
As a 25 year old male, it depends on the age of the person wearing them. If they are a generation or more ahead of me, I assume outdated. If younger, I assume trying for a retro sheik. Either way, there’s an odd sexy/exhibitionist vibe, due to the unfortunate association of patterned leggings and prostitutes. But I usually assume the outdated people are unaware of that, and that he retro sheiks are using it ironically, unless I see them on a street corner looking like they’re trying to pick up tricks (and I’ve only seen that in movies.) (Didn’t vote in the poll for the obvious reason that I’m a guy.) ---
**Author:** ![Cazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cazzle/32/75_2.png) [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-do-you-think-when-you-see-a-woman-wearing-seamed-stockings-in-public/552085/49 "2010-09-01T03:43:18Z")
Retro sheik? You mean… [like](http://www.saradistribution.com/foto3/sheik_mahmoud_p1.jpg) [this](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Y32nBaee2kw/SfUYKASviJI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/qF6iZXxQgg0/s1600-h/PL6456E%5B1%5D.jpg)? \ Re the OP… if it ever happens, I’ll let you know. I don’t remember ever seeing anyone in seamed stockings in public unless they were off to a fancy dress party. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-do-you-think-when-you-see-a-woman-wearing-seamed-stockings-in-public/552085/50 "2010-09-01T03:49:16Z")
Guy here, so I didn’t vote, but I’ve never seen a woman in seamed stockings, in a business environment, who didn’t have a gawkfest on her hands. Most women, in my experience, who wear seamed stockings know they can pull it off, and most men, again, in my experience, find it extremely sexy, distractingly so. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-do-you-think-when-you-see-a-woman-wearing-seamed-stockings-in-public/552085/51 "2010-09-01T03:51:36Z")
Not a girl, so I did not vote. Slut…big time. ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-do-you-think-when-you-see-a-woman-wearing-seamed-stockings-in-public/552085/52 "2010-09-01T04:34:57Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Not a girl, so I did not vote. > > Slut…big time. Are you kidding? Dude, tell me you are. Just earlier tonight I was thinking you were a cool guy, and now you’ve made me so disappointed. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-do-you-think-when-you-see-a-woman-wearing-seamed-stockings-in-public/552085/53 "2010-09-01T04:36:37Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Not a girl, so I did not vote. > > Slut…big time. Kind of harsh, don’t you think? ---
**Author:** ![InterestedObserver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@InterestedObserver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InterestedObserver)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-do-you-think-when-you-see-a-woman-wearing-seamed-stockings-in-public/552085/54 "2010-09-01T04:59:50Z")
Geez, I had no IDEA seamed stockings were such a controversial issue! :eek: I have a few pair and I wear them fairly regularly, in situations where someone might otherwise wear pantyhose. Yes, I have pretty good legs (imo and so I’ve been told) and yes, I realize that stockings in general are very sexy to some men, but my main reasons for wearing them is that _I_ find them sexy and I HATE pantyhose. And if I am going to go to all the trouble to wear stockings and a garter belt/garters, might as well wear some with some bit of interest to them as opposed to the nude L’eggs look. 😛 But then, I am a fan of “retro” and vintage clothing and tend to wear whatever I like regardless of what is “in fashion”. But really, wow, it’s THAT big of a deal? Who knew?😕 P.S. NOT a “slut”, big time or otherwise. In your DREAMS, Mahaloth. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-do-you-think-when-you-see-a-woman-wearing-seamed-stockings-in-public/552085/55 "2010-09-01T06:09:28Z")
> [@InterestedObserver](#): > > Geez, I had no IDEA seamed stockings were such a controversial issue! :eek: > > I have a few pair and I wear them fairly regularly, in situations where someone might otherwise wear pantyhose. > > Yes, I have pretty good legs (imo and so I’ve been told) and yes, I realize that stockings in general are very sexy to some men, but my main reasons for wearing them is that _I_ find them sexy and I HATE pantyhose. And if I am going to go to all the trouble to wear stockings and a garter belt/garters, might as well wear some with some bit of interest to them as opposed to the nude L’eggs look. 😛 > > But then, I am a fan of “retro” and vintage clothing and tend to wear whatever I like regardless of what is “in fashion”. > > But really, wow, it’s THAT big of a deal? Who knew?😕 > > P.S. NOT a “slut”, big time or otherwise. In your DREAMS, Mahaloth. 😉 \ **InterestedObserver** wears garters! Must…read…rest of…post. Must… Garters. Garters. Garters. Garters. [Brain overload. Flatline.]\ 😉 ---
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-do-you-think-when-you-see-a-woman-wearing-seamed-stockings-in-public/552085/56 "2010-09-01T06:24:01Z")
I love seamed stockings but I think they’re hard to pull off. I can only really wear them with heels - I think they look better on longer legs. They don’t scream “slut” to me though - I think they’re both sexy and classy if worn with the right dress. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-do-you-think-when-you-see-a-woman-wearing-seamed-stockings-in-public/552085/57 "2010-09-01T06:25:33Z")
> [@InterestedObserver](#): > > Geez, I had no IDEA seamed stockings were such a controversial issue! :eek: > > I have a few pair and I wear them fairly regularly, in situations where someone might otherwise wear pantyhose. > > Yes, I have pretty good legs (imo and so I’ve been told) and yes, I realize that stockings in general are very sexy to some men, but my main reasons for wearing them is that _I_ find them sexy and I HATE pantyhose. And if I am going to go to all the trouble to wear stockings and a garter belt/garters, might as well wear some with some bit of interest to them as opposed to the nude L’eggs look. 😛 > > But then, I am a fan of “retro” and vintage clothing and tend to wear whatever I like regardless of what is “in fashion”. Hi Interested. You sound _interesting_ too. And you must have a real sense of style. I’ll bet you have amazing eyes. Maybe I’ll see you around the other threads sometime. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-do-you-think-when-you-see-a-woman-wearing-seamed-stockings-in-public/552085/58 "2010-09-01T07:06:40Z")
> [@HazelNutCoffee](#): > > I love seamed stockings but I think they’re hard to pull off. Or you can just leave them on… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-do-you-think-when-you-see-a-woman-wearing-seamed-stockings-in-public/552085/59 "2010-09-01T11:00:34Z")
Context is king. Seamed stockings at a cocktail party? Stylish, sexy and daring, if you’re pulling it off. Seamed stockings at the office? Seriously poor judgment. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-do-you-think-when-you-see-a-woman-wearing-seamed-stockings-in-public/552085/60 "2010-09-01T12:32:16Z")
I wear my fishnets to the office, but keep the rest of the outfit conservative (knee-length pencil skirt and long-sleeved Oxford button-down shirt). Couldn’t I do something similar with seamed stockings? Because after **Mahaloth** ’s post I’m thinking about buying some. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-do-you-think-when-you-see-a-woman-wearing-seamed-stockings-in-public/552085.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-do-you-think-when-you-see-a-woman-wearing-seamed-stockings-in-public/552085.md?page=4)